As the pandemic swept our nation in March, one of the first shifting consumer behaviors that saved many retailers was curbside pickup, most certainly those selling perishable products. Almost every retailer either quickly enhanced their offerings or stood up technology and processes to accommodate. One of the lone holdouts has been Costco. But as of today, they have begun testing the option in three stores in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Their new same-day service will be enabled by Instacart technology. Costco employees will pick orders from about 2,000 products including grocery perishables and non-grocery. They’re starting by adding a $10 fee and requiring a $100 minimum, so that may prevent some willing takers. Costco’s two main competitors, BJ’s Wholesale Club and Sam’s Club ramped their curbside pickup offerings almost immediately at the start of the pandemic with much success.

Costco never really saw a decrease in traffic or sales from the beginning of the pandemic, already a ‘stock up’ model most of their customers were accustomed to. In fact, much of their success typically comes from the ‘discovery’ of customers wandering their expansive aisles, adding many unplanned purchases to their carts. The online ordering process will naturally eliminate that element of total sales. Now in a nod to the protracted state of getting life back to normal, undeniable trend and consumer acceptance, they’re joining the fray with this additional digital offering.